Bible

Courses

BIB 1015 or 1015H Introduction to the Bible2–3 creditsAuthorship and canonization; text transmission; Masoretic text; translations of the Bible; Bible in its ancient Near Eastern context; Jewish biblical interpretation through the ages. At Yeshiva College, BIB 1015 is a prerequisite for all other courses.

BIB 1071 Biblical Midrashim2 creditsIntroduction to the Aggadah; literary study of authorship, style, and contents of the major Tannaitic Midrashim; emphasis on their use in biblical exegesis.

BIB 1072 or 1072H Rabbinic Biblical Legal Exegesis3 creditsThe methods of legal exegesis of the Midreshei Halakhah and the Babylonian Talmud, with emphasis on the way in which rabbinic tradition dealt with the problem of providing legally meaningful interpretations of each stylistic nuance of the legal portions of the Pentateuch.

BIB 1083 or 1083H Early Jewish Biblical Interpretations3 creditsA survey of the development of Jewish biblical interpretation from its earliest representation in the late books of the Bible through its various manifestations during the Second Temple and rabbinic periods. Touches upon the major works as well as the significant methods and types of interpretation originating in these periods.

BIB 1085; 1086 Topics in Biblical Exegesis I; II2 creditsSelected Pentateuchal texts, examined in light of classical and modern Jewish commentaries, with emphasis on literary and theological analysis. May be repeated for credit with variation of content.

BIB 1096 Nahmanides on Pentateuch2 creditsAnalysis of the commentary of Moses Nahmanides (Ramban), his method and terminology, and similarities to—and differences from—other exegetes.

BIB 1159 Great Biblical Personalities3 creditsIn-depth study of major personalities from the Bible and the Prophets.

BIB 1188 Man and the Divine3 creditsThe laws of purity, sacrifice, the Sabbath, and Festivals.

BIB 1201, 1202 The Book of Genesis3–6 credits

BIB 1213 or 1213H Genesis and Literature3 creditsTopics in Genesis, including creation of man, original sin, Cain and Abel, and the Akeda, studied together with their literary afterlife, including Milton, Unamuno, Augustine, Kierkegaard, and traditional Jewish exegesis and homiletics.

BIB 1305; 1306 The Book of Exodus2–4 creditsTranslation and exposition of the text in accordance with standard commentaries; selected passages from Rashi and other commentators. For lower intermediate students.

BIB 1407; 1408 Leviticus3 creditsTranslation and exposition of the text in accordance with standard commentaries; selected passages from Rashi and other commentators.

BIB 1507; 1508 The Book of Numbers3 creditsTranslation and exposition of the text in accordance with standard commentaries; selected passages from Rashi and other commentators.

BIB 1609; 1610 The Book of Deuteronomy3 creditsIntensive study using classical and modern commentaries. For advanced students.

BIB 2107 Early Prophets3 creditsSelections from Joshua, Judges, Samuel, or Kings, with emphasis on historical context and analysis of literary technique and theological concepts.

BIB 2109; 2110 Early Prophets3 creditsSelections from the Early Prophets, with classical commentaries; emphasis on historiographic study and the use of archaeological findings. First semester: conquest of Canaan and early Judges; second semester: later Judges and the establishment of the Monarchy. For advanced students.

BIB 2117; 2118 Joshua/Judges2–3 credits

BIB 2157-2158 Samuel2–3 credits

BIB 2358-2359 Kings2–3 credits

BIB 2500-2879 The Later ProphetsTexts studied with classical and modern commentaries; literary and theological analysis; historical context.

BIB 4950 Bachelor’s Thesis3 creditsIndependent work, under faculty guidance, in an area of biblical study. An acceptable thesis will show diligent research in primary sources, scholarly organization, and clear exposition of material. (9 hours)Prerequisite: Bible major or minor and senior status.